Fire Destroys 3 Homes, Occupants Injured

CRESTLINE: On April 30, at approximately 7:46 p.m., Firefighters from the San Bernardino County Fire Department responded to multiple reports of a residential structure fire in the 24800 block of Matterhorn Court in Crestline, CA.

First arriving firefighters from the San Bernardino County Fire Department found two large homes fully involved in fire with vegetation and trees burning. A second alarm was requested bringing additional engines and personnel from across the mountain. Firefighters began an aggressive fire attack to prevent the spread of the fire to numerous other structures and forest land.

During the initial stages of the firefight, firefighters were alerted to an occupant that had re-entered his home and was trapped on a second story deck of one of the burning structures. Firefighters immediately began rescue efforts with a ladder, however fire conditions worsened dramatically, and the occupant jumped to the ground below. The resident was injured from the jump and was treated on scene by County Fire Paramedics and was transported by the joint County Fire/Sheriff Rescue Helicopter to a local area trauma center. Two other occupants were treated and transported to local area hospitals for minor burn injuries.

As is common practice with high fire danger and wind conditions, the San Bernardino County Fire Dept, Cal Fire, and the U.S. Forest Service had brought on additional round the clock staffing. All three agencies brought a significant response to the fire totaling over 75 firefighters, numerous engines, hand crews and command personnel. While a total of three homes were destroyed, a large, aggressive and well coordinated fire attack prevented a catastrophic loss of numerous homes and forest.

There were no injuries to firefighters. The fire remains under investigation by the San Bernardino County Fire Department Office of the Fire Marshal. Firefighters were also assisted by the San Bernardino County Sheriff and California Highway Patrol who provided traffic and scene control. No damage estimates are currently available. The San Bernardino County Fire Dept. would like to remind residents to never re-enter a burning structure, to have working smoke detectors and to have a family escape and evacuation plan.